Cicero man admits stealing from bowling supply company

Syracuse, NY - A Cicero man admitted in court today to stealing more than $36,000 from the bowling supply company where he worked.

Joseph Moro, 53, of 8676 Backstretch Path, pleaded guilty before County Judge Joseph Fahey to a single felony charge of fourth-degree grand larceny. He had been arrested in December on a more serious second-degree grand larceny charge.

Moro admitted stealing $36,130 from Lane 1 Inc. between June 2007 and August 2009.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Dotzler said Moro was employed as the company's accountant and office manager. As the person with control over the payroll, Moro wrote himself 27 additional paychecks over that two-year period, the prosecutor said.

Defense lawyer Louis Mannara said authorities opted not to pursue allegations Moro stole an additional $13,000 in cash from the company. Dotzler said authorities did not have proof to support those allegations as opposed to the proof of the extra checks Moro was accused of issuing to himself.

Dotzler said company officials discovered the thefts when it conducted a full-scale audit after Moro left his job.

Moro is to be be sentenced to five years' probation. He will be required to pay back the $36,130 over the course of that probationary period.